Monday, August 25, 2014

Greek Life at Bethany College

Joining Greek life can be a wonderful life-changing experience. The Greek system, a valued Bethany tradition dating back to the College’s earliest days, offers a sense of accomplishment through leadership, personal fulfillment through philanthropy and volunteer service, and opportunities to forge lifelong friendships. Greeks often perform well academically, scoring high GPA’s as well as developing valuable leadership skills. Involvement on campus through the Greek community is also a great way to network with others. After graduating, Greeks use their campus relationships to build career connections.

On Bethany’s campus, we have five different fraternities: Sigma Nu, Beta Theta Pi, Phi Kappa Tau, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Delta Tau Delta. There are three sororities: Zeta Tau Alpha, Phi Mu, and Alpha Xi Delta. Each house has its own unique style, personality, and set of values. Although they may be different in their history and membership, they all have a common goal—to improve the College and themselves. The community does its best to excel in all ways possible and, at the same time, to represent school spirit through academics, sports, social events, and leadership.

The students involved in Greek life on Bethany’s campus have formed great friendships not just with their Greek sisters and brothers in their own sororities and fraternities, but with members of the faculty as well. The Greek community as a whole has a Greek faculty mixer every year. This is an opportunity for members of Greek life and faculty to interact and form connections. By forming relationships with professors, members of Greek life have the resources and support to reach out to the community, host philanthropic events, and gain professional experience as well.

Greeks also host events with each other. Each year Greeks get together to have the All-Greek Cookout. It is a chance to interact with the other houses and socialize among friends of the Greek community. During the spring semester, Greek Week takes place, a time of fun and competitive spirit. The houses compete against each other in good sport for the title Greek Week Champions, as well as a trophy. The 2014 winners of Greek Week were Delta Tau Delta and Zeta Tau Alpha.

Each fraternity and sorority has its own philanthropy and each house works for its cause, which they feel passionate about. In doing so, members of Greek life have opportunities for leadership and professional growth through service.

An important tradition at Bethany, Greek membership offers exceptional opportunities for enrichment that can last a lifetime.